Modular building construction

ABSTRACT

The building construction includes a stem upstanding substantially the entire height of the building with box-like modules supported along the height of the stem at various building levels. To elevate the individual modules to predetermined building levels, lifting lines extend from a winch adjacent the base of the stem upwardly within the stem and about a pair of pivotal sheaves and a selected pair of fixed sheaves cantilevered outwardly of the stem. The lifting lines extend vertically along and outwardly of selected sides of the stem for connection with cradles carrying the modules, the cradles and modules being transportable to adjacent the base of the stem vertically below their final position in the building. The modules are lifted vertically and, at a specified level, the inner walls of the modules are secured directly to the stem with the end portions of the modules being cantilevered from the stem. At the level next below, modules are disposed such that their end portions are cantilevered from the stem and underlie the cantilevered portions of the superposed modules. The inner walls of the underlying modules are connected directly to the tower and the cantilevered inner end wall portions of the superposed modules are connected to the underlying modules to form a cantilevered support therefor whereby underlying modules are supported both directly from the tower and from the cantilevered support of the superposed modules.

l [75] Inventor:

ite States Patent 1 Navarrette-Kindelan [54] MODULAR BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION Octaviano De J. Navarrette-Kindelan, Santurce, PR.

[52] 11.8. C1 52/73, 52/79, 52/236 [51] Int. Cl E041 I/348, E04b 1/34[58] Field of Search 52/73, 79, 236;

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,455,075 7/1969 Frey52/79 3,613,321 10/1971 Rohrer 52/79 3,546,792 12/1970 Sherman. 52/2362,575,474 11/1951 Shadgen.... 52/236 3,520,098 7/1970 Johnson.... 52/79D206,869 2/1967 Hoke 52/236 D216,954 3/1970 Jenn 52/79 3,226,727 12/1965Frey 52/73 3,302,363 2/1967 Frey 52/73 3,541,744 l1/l970 Maxwell 52/73FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 52/83 PrimaryExaminerFrank Abbott Assistant Examiner-Henry E. RaduazoAttorney-LeBlanc 8L Shur 57 ABSTRACT The building construction includesa stern upstanding substantially the entire height of the building withboxlike modules supported along the height of the stem at variousbuilding levels. To elevate the individual modules to predeterminedbuilding levels, lifting lines extend from a winch adjacent the base ofthe stem upwardly within the stem and about a pair of pivotal sheavesand a selected pair of fixed sheaves cantilevered outwardly of the stem.The lifting lines extend ver tically along and outwardly of selectedsides of the stem for connection with cradles carrying the modules, thecradles and modules being transportable to adjacent the base of the stemvertically below their final position in the building. The modules arelifted vertically and, at a specified level, the inner walls of themodules are secured directly to the stem with the end portions of themodules being cantilevered from the stem. At the level next below,modules are disposed such that their end portions are cantilevered fromthe stem and underlie the cantilevered portions of the superposedmodules. The inner walls of the underlying modules are connecteddirectly to the tower and the cantilevered inner end wall portions ofthe superposed modules are connected to the underlying modules to form acantilevered support therefor whereby underlying modules are supportedboth directly from the tower and from the cantilevered support of thesuperposed modules.

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU 1 2 I975 SHEET 1 [If 3 INVENTOROCTAVIANO de J. NAVARRETE- KINDELAN ATTORNEYS PAIENIED I 2 SHEET Z (If 3MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates tomulti-level building construction and particularly relates to modulartype building construction for business or office buildings, residentialbuildings such as apartments, institutional buildings, such as schools,hospitals or any other construction requiring multiple levels.

Modular type construction has been proposed and utilized in the past. Anumber of such modular type building constructions have utilized modulesfor functional areas only rather than providing modules which serve bothas functional units and structural support. That is to say, in certainmodular type construction, supporting structure is first erected and themodules are then connected to the support structure, the modules per senot serving as structural supports. There is thus an inherentinefficiency in the utilization of materials. Other types of modularconstruction do not efficiently utilize the available land area for highrise construction and this oftentimes is a limiting factor in theutilization of a particular type of modular construction as well as inthe building design per se. For example, many modular type constructionsrequire auxilliary lifting cranes for elevating and laterallypositioning modules 'at successively higher levels in order to form acompleted building. The land area required by the lifting cranes andmodules for this type of construction is thus extensive and, in somecases, for example, high density urban areas, is simply not available.

The present invention solves the foregoing and other problems associatedwith prior modular type construction and provides a novel and uniquemodular building construction having significant advantages thereover.Particularly, the modules hereof are formed to serve as both functionalareas, that is space defining elements, and structural elements of thebuilding. To accomplish this, the modules are secured in place atvarious building levels about a previously erected support stem which,depending on the particular building design, encloses one or moreelevator shafts, access stairwells, mechanical fixtures, etc. and mayenclose a portion of the functional areas associated with the modules.Each module provides a self-contained functional area and such area canbe enlarged by utilizing a portion of the central stem.

The modules also serve as structural elements for supporting othermodules and, when integrated with the support stem, reinforce the entirebuilding structure. Specifically, modules are disposed at each buildinglevel outwardly of the support stem and direct connections are providedbetween the inner walls of the modules and the support stem to transferto the stem a portion of the weight of the modules. The modules at eachbuilding level are elongated and box-like in configuration and theiropposite end portions at each level extend laterally beyond and arecantilevered from the stem. The modules at the various levels areinterleaved transferred to the stem by the direct connection of themodules next below to the stem. Also, the direct connection of themodules to the stem and their direct interconnection with one anotherstructurally reinforce the building against lateral loading. Further,the floor portions of the modules at one level lie in a common planewith the ceiling portions of the modules next below and there is thusprovided a horizontal wall about the building at each level whichalsostructurally reinforces the building, particularly in torsion.

Moreover, the foregoing construction wherein the modules provide bothfunctional areas and structural support for the building is providedwithout imposing height limitations inherent in certain knownpriorsystems. For example, the support stern serves per se as the principaldevice by which the modules are elevated to the appropriate buildinglevels, and thus auxilliary equipment for example, lifting cranes withtheir inherent height limitations, are not required. The uniqueness ofthe construction system is exemplified by the fact that only verticallifting is required. Horizontal shifting of the modules as would benecessary in many prior modular type constructions is entirelyeliminated. To accomplish the foregoing, the upper end of the supportstem is provided with pivotable sheaves and pairs of fixed sheavescantilevered outwardly of the sides of the stem. A lifting winch isprovided adjacent the base of the stem and winch lines extend from thewinch, upwardly through the stem, about the sheaves and extenddownwardly outwardly of the sides of the stem. After the support stem iserected, and then a first module is transported to the construction siteand located at the base of the stem directly below its final position inthe building structure, the ends of the winch lines are passed throughopenings preformed in the module and attached to a lifting cradleunderlying the module. The module is then elevated to the appropriatelevel in a single lifting operation. After the module is secured to thebuilding, at that level, the cradle is lowered and disconnected from thelifting lines. The lines are then disposed over another pair of fixedsheaves along another side of the stem whereupon the lifting lines arelowered and connected to another cradle for lifting another module tothe appropriate level. By disposing the lifting lines selectively overthe fixed sheaves on the appropriate side of the stem, the modules arelifted vertically from the base of the support stem to their finalposition without requiring horizontal shifting. Hence, large cranes andthe like are not necessary.

The foregoing system thus utilizes the modules as both functional areasand structural supports wherein the load of each module is transferredin part directly to the stem by the connection of its inner wall withthe stem and, in part, through its suspension from the cantilevered endportions of the superposed modules. Thus, each pair of modules are, ineffect, supported directly by the stem at the corresponding buildinglevels. Also, the foregoing described system eliminates the need forexternal heavy lifting equipment and its attendant requirements,eliminates design restrictions as to total height of structure by thepractical reach of external lifting equipment and also minimizes theland area required for construction.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel and improved modular building construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,improved modular building construction wherein modules are arrangedabout a permanent upstanding structural support stem and are uniquelyconnected thereto in a manner wherein the modules per se providecantilevered support for underlying modules.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a modularbuilding construction wherein horizontal movement of the modules in theerection of the building is entirely eliminated and wherein all heavyduty lifting is solely in a vertical direction.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amodular building construction which requires minimum land use about theconstruction site, and most effectively utilizes labor and materials bymaximizing prefabricated type construction and minimizing fieldconstruction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelmodular building construction which has wide range of flexibility, isadaptable to a broad range of housing types, is adaptable to practicallyany site size and location, and wherein limitations on the size andweight of the modules per se are those imposed only by thetransportability of the modules rather than those of structural,functional or design considerations.

These and other further object and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent upon reference to the following specification,appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a completed building constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a module employed with the buildingconstruction hereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support stem for the buildingconstruction illustrated in FIG. 1 and illustrating the raising of afirst module to the upper level of the building;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the building illustrated in FIG. 1partially completed and illustrated with parts broken out;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view of aparticular level of the building construction illustrated in FIG. 1,taken generally about on lines 55 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken generallyabout on lines 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating aconnection between the inner side wall of a module and the support stem;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the jointbetween the modules at next adjacent levels; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another form ofbuilding construction hereof.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, there isillustrated a completed building, generally indicated at 10 andconstructed in accordance with the principals of the present inventionand comprised of two basic elements: a support tower or stem generallyindicated 12 and a plurality of interleaved preformed modules generallyindicated 14. As will be appreciated, the tower or stem 12 forms thepermanent support for the entire building 10 and, in the formillustrated, provides a central core about which the modules 14 arelocated and secured. The tower or stem 12, in this form,

preferably contains the elevator, stairways and conduits for allservices and utilities for building 10 and may also, in conjunction withmodules 14 provide additional functional areas.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, tower 12 preferably has on each side a pair ofvertically extending columns 16 and a plurality of vertically spaced,horizontally extending beams 18 which interconnect the columns 16 oneach side, the ends of beams 18 extending outwardly beyond column 16 forconnection with the beams 18 on like levels. Stem 12 is preferablyformed of concrete and a slip form construction may be utilized. It willbe appre ciated that stem 12 can be erected to practically any designedbuilding height and that in the form illustrated, the stem 12 ismonolithic and forms a vertical box beam. At the top of stem 12, thereis provided a cross beam system generally indicated 20 (of either steelor concrete) which serves as a permanent lifting gantry frame formodules 14 in a manner to be described. Particularly, the cross beamsystem includes pairs of slabs 22 disposed in vertical planes and whichintersect at right angles to one another. A lifting platform 24 isprovided at the top of the building in overlying relation to the beamsystem 20. The beams 22 extend beyond the lateral confines of tower 12to form a pair of cantilevered lifting gantrys on each side of stem 12.i

As described hereinafter, the modules 14 are lifted vertically from aposition adjacent the base of stem 12 to the appropriate building levelwhereupon the modules are secured to the stem 12. The stem 12 serves asthe principal member or device by which the modules are lifted duringthe process of erecting the building. To accomplish this, a winch,generally indicated 46, is provided adjacent the base of stem 12 and apair of winch lines 28 extend from winch 46 about a pair of sheaves 30secured to an interior wall of stem 12 adja cent its base. The lines 28extend vertically upwardly within stem 12 and are passed about a pair ofsheaves 32 secured to the same interior wall at the top of stem 12,sheaves 32 being mounted for pivotal movement about vertical axes.Plural pairs of fixed sheaves 34 are disposed on platform 24 outwardlyof the lateral confines of stem 12. Lifting lines 28 thus pass upwardlywithin stem 12, over pivotable sheaves 32 and over a selected pair offixed sheaves 34 depending on which side of the building a module is tobe lifted. The lifting lines 28 extend about sheaves 34 downwardlythrough openings 36 formed in platform 24 to depend along the outside ofstem 12. To dispose lifting lines 28 along another side of stem 12, thewinch 26 is actuated to haul in the lines until the ends of the linescan be removed from a pair of fixed sheaves 34 and disposed aboutanother pair of fixed sheaves 34 while pivoting sheaves 32 such thatthey face the side of the building where a module is to be raised.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a module 14 in skeletonizedform. It will be appreciated that module 14 is ofa size sufficient toaccomodate an adult human being standing in an erect position. Moreover,wall panels and other auxilliary furnishings associated with apreformed, prefmished module are normally provided module 14 prior toits installation in building 10 and it will be appreciated that themodules 14 are illustrated as skeletonized for sake of clarity. In theskeletonized form, the module 14 is preferably an elongated box-likeunit having four elongated beams two of which beams 40 form thestructural members of an outer wall 41 and two of which beams 42 formthe structural members of an inner wall 43. The beams 40 and 42 are Iinterconnected by vertical and horizontally disposed end beams 44 and46. The inner wall 43 has a pair of intermediate vertically extendingbeams 47 which form a portion of the inner wall 43. Each beam 47 has alower opening 48 and an upper laterally outwardly offset opening 50 forsecuring module 14 to stem 12 in a manner to be described. Each modulehas a horizontal wall 52, preferably extending the full length of themodule and which forms the floor of the module. Each module has an upperwall 54 which forms a portion of the ceiling for that module and aportion of the floor of a superposed functional area disposed over themodule as noted hereinafter. For reasons noted hereinafter, a pair ofopenings 51 and 53 are provided in each of horizontal wall portions 52and 54 respectively, the superposed pair of openings 53 lying invertical registry with the underlying pair of openings 51. End portions56 of each module are preferably open at the top and sides and the upperbeams 40 and 42 are reduced in thickness to form slots 58 for receivingend portions of superposed modules in a manner to be described. Themodules are preferably formed of precast reinforced concrete and, asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, a plurality of reinforcing rods 60 aredisposed in the horizontal wall portions as well as in the vertical wallportions. The rods 60 in the horizontal wall portion 54 extendlongitudinally of the module 14 and are reversely bent at opposite endedges of ceiling 54 to provide connections with similarly reversely bentand tranversely extending reinforcing rods carried by the floor portion52 of a superposed module.

To erect the building illustrated in FIG. 1, the stem 12 is firstfabricated preferably using a slip form concrete construction and thewinch 26, lifting lines 28 and sheaves 30, 32 and 34 are installed. Thefirst preformed module 14a is then transported, preferably by truck, tothe construction site and located at the base of stem 12 immediatelyadjacent one side ther 'eof and directly vertically below the finalposition of module 14a in the building structure. Lifting lines 28 aredisposed about the pair of fixed sheaves 34 on lifting platform 24disposed on the same side of the stem as the module is to be secured andthe lifting lines 28 are passed over sheaves 34 through openings 36 andlowered to the base of stem 12 whereupon they are received through pairsof openings 53 and 51 in the ceiling and floor portions respectively ofmodule 14a. The ends of lifting lines 28 are then secured to a cradle,generally indicated C in FIG. 4, whereupon winch 26 is actuated to liftmodule 14a from its transport vertically upwardly along a side ofbuilding as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Upon reaching the designated level, module 14a is secured both directlyto stem 12 and to the overhanging cross beam system 22. To accomplishthis, each of the vertical columns 16 of stem 12 are provided withmetalcollars 64 (FIG. 7) having a conically tapped opening 66. A pin 68having a conically tapped end is received through openings 48 of theinner wall of module 14 for threading engagement with collar 64. While.module 14a remains supported by lines 28, shims 70 are then disposed inopenings 48 to locate the module 149 vertically and shims 72 aredisposed to either side of pin 68 in opening 48 to locate the module 14ahorizontally. A similar connection with stem 12 is provided throughupper openings 50 in the inner wall 43 of module 14a, the connectionwith stem 12 being with the portions of the horizontal beams 18extending laterally beyond beams 16. When module 14a is located in itsproper position, the lower edges of the cantilevered cross beams 22 onthe side of the building to which the module is secured are receivedwithin slots 58 adjacent the end edges of upper wall 54. The lower edgesof the cross beams 22 are secured along the inner edge of the walls 54by joining reinforcing rods one to the other and applying expansivecement. Cross beams 22 thus act as cantilevered supports for module 14aand also preclude lateral outward movement of modules 14a away from thestem. In this manner, the module is directly supported by stem 12through the pinned connection between the inner wall and the box beamstructure of stem 12 and indirectly supported by virtue of the modulebeing suspended from the cantilevered cross beams 22. Thus, the load ofmodule 14a is transferred, in part, directly to stem 12 by theconnection of its inner wall with the stern and, in part, through itssuspension from the cantilevered end portions of cross beam structure22. It will be appreciated that the opposite end portions 56 of module14a project beyond the lateral edges of stem 12 and are thuscantilevered from stem 12.

When module 14a is finally secured to stem 12, the lifting lines 28 arelowered thereby lowering cradle C to adjacent the base of stem 12. Thecradle is then disconnected from lifting lines 28 and the latter arelifted and disposed about the pair of fixed sheaves 34 on the oppositeside of building 10. The lines 28 are then lowered to adjacent the baseof stem 12 along opposite sides of the building. A second module,previously transported to adjacent the base of stem 12 at opposite sidesof the building is then lifted to the same level as module 14a andsecured in place similarly as described above in connection with module14a. End portions 56 of this module are also cantilevered outwardlybeyond the lateral edges of stem 12. Upon securement of the two modulesat the upper level, the lifting lines 28 are disposed about a pair ofthe fixed sheaves 34 along a side of the building intermediate the sideshaving the modules secured thereto.

In like manner, the lifting lines 28 are lowered and a third module israised to the level next below the level of the previously raisedmodules. The lower end wall portions 52 of the cantilevered end portionsof the modules at the upper building level are received in the slots 58provided in the opposite end wall portions of the underlying module 14c.Module 140 is secured to stem 12 utilizing a pinned connection similarlyas previously described. End portions 56 of module 140 are alsocantilevered beyond the lateral confines of stem 12 and module 14c isfurther secured along the end edges of its upper wall 54 to thecantilevered end portions of the inner lowermost beam 42 of thesuperposed modules 14 on the upper building level. That is to say, endportions of the inner lower beam 42 of the superposed modules arecantilevered laterally outwardly from stem 12 as previously describedand are connected to the underlying module to form a cantileveredsupport therefor. The load of the underlying module 140 is thustransferred, in part, directly to stem 12 by the pinned connectionbetween its inner wall'and stem 12 and, in part, indirectly to stem 12through its suspension from the opposed cantilevered end portions 56 ofthe pair of superposed modules. The remaining joints between thesuperposed and underlying modules can be filled in with expansive groutand structural or non-structural filler joints may be utilized. It willbe appreciated that the sole structural connections for the underlyingmodule resides in its pinned connection with stem 12 and the jointbetween the cantilevered lower inner beams of the superposed modulesalong the edges of horizontal walls 54 of the underlying module. Afterthe third module is secured to the stem, the cradle C is lowered to thebase of stem 12 and disconnected from lifting lines 28. The latter arethereupon disposed about the sheaves 34 on the opposite side of building10 to raise and secure a similar module to stem 12 in a similar mannerand at a like level as the third module. Upon securement of this fourthmodule to the level next below the upper level of the building, theentire erection process is repeated. It will be appreciated that theresulting structure provides a pair of modules on opposite sides of thestem at each level and on alternate sides of the stem on next adjacentlevels whereby the end portions of modules 14 are interleaved one withthe other. The open space defined between the opposed end portions 56 ofa pair of modules on one level, the floor of the module on the nextsuperposed level, and the ceiling of the module on the level next belowmay be enclosed by an outer wall or facade subsequent to the securementof the modules to stem 12. By providing slots 58 in the end portions ofthe modules, the horizontal floor portions 52 of the modules on oppositesides of the building and the ceiling portions 54 of the modules on theother sides of the building at the level next below form a coplanarmonolithic horizontal wall structure about stem 12 and which wallstructure particularly reinforces the stem 12 in torsion. Moreover, byproviding a box beam construction for stem 12 and a box beam module, theconnection between the module and stem 12 reinforces the structuralintegrity of the entire building. It will be appreciated that the innerwall 47 may comprise a solid, vertically extending, slab throughout thelength of the module whereby the cantilevered end portions of the moduleform an even stronger beam for providing cantilevered support to theunderlying modules.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a further form hereofcomprising a plurality of upstanding stems 112 each constructedsimilarly as stem 12 in the prior embodiment. Each stem 112 is providedwith lifting equipment similarly as previously described, i.e., fixedand pivotable sheaves, lifting lines and a winch. The modules 114 aresimilar to modules 14, but are elongated as to extend beyond the lateralconfines of a pair of stems 112. In the initial construction of thebuilding illustrated in FIG. 10, four modules are raised and secured ateach level. (The initial four modules being supported by thecantilevered cross beam construction at the top of stems 112, notshown.) In this form, however, modules 114 are each lifted by thelifting equipment associated with a pair of stems. A pair of elongatedmodules 114 are thus disposed outwardly of opposed pairs of stems 112 onopposite sides of the building and a pair of modules 114 are raised andsecured between the pairs of stems 112 completing the four modules ateach level of the building. At the next level, elongated modules 114 arelifted and secured in place and extend at right angles to the modules ofthe level next above. Again, a pair of modules 114 are disposed betweenpairs of stems 112 and a module is provided outwardly to either side ofthe pairs of stems 112. The foregoing construction is repeated for eachpair of building levels and it will be appreciated that an interleavedbuilding construction is provided with each module being supported, inpart, by its direct connection of a pair of stems 112 and, in part, byits suspension from the four cantilevered end portions of the nextsuperposed modules 114. In this form, a rectangular building plan can beprovided rather than a square building as illustrated in the previousform.

It will be appreciated that the modules can be arranged about stemshaving polygonal cross sections in plan view, for example, hexagonal oroctagonal cross sections, thus lending optimum flexibility of design tothe overall building. It will be appreciated that in both the buildingsof FIGS. 1 and FIG. 10, the basic principal hereof are the same, i.e.,that the modules serve both as functional areas and structural supportsand wherein the load of each module is transferred, in part, directly tothe stem by the connection of its inner wall with the stem and, in part,through its suspension from the cantilevered end portions of superposedmodules.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entireheight of said building; first, second and third elongated preformedmodules each having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and ahorizontally extending wall portion, means connecting the inner sidewall portions of said first and second modules to said support stem at apredetermined level of the building, said first and second modules beinglaterally spaced one from the other at said predetermined level andprojecting outwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions ofsaid first and second modules projecting laterally from said supportstem and cantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third modulefrom said support stem including means coupling the inner side wallportion of said third module to said support stem at a building levelnext below said predetermined building level to provide partial supportfor said third module directly from said support stem, said third moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered endportions of said first and second modules, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules to said third module to structurally support saidthird module from said first and second modules and providesubstantially the remaining structural support for said third module,said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stemand from said first and second modules.

2. A building according to claim 1, including a fourth preformed modulehaving upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means coupling the inner'side wall portion ofsaid fourth module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidfourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposedcantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and meansconnecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wallportions of said first and second modules to said fourth module tostructurally support said fourth module from said firstand secondmodules and to provide substantially the remaining structural supportfor said fourth module, said fourth module being supported substantiallyentirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

3. The building according to claim 2 wherein said support stem has fourdiscrete sides, said first and second modules being disposed alongopposite sides of said support stem, said third and fourth modules beingdisposed along the other opposite sides of said support stem.

4. The building according to claim 2 wherein the means connecting thecantilevered ends of the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said third and fourth modules respectively serve torestrain said third and fourth modules from movement laterally outwardlyof said support stem.

5. A building according to claim 1 including a cantilevered supportstructure carried by said stem adjacent the upper end thereof, andmodule hoisting means carried by said stem adjacent its upper endincluding at least one sheave carried by said cantilevered supportstructure.

6. A building according to claim 5 wherein said module hoisting meansincludes a second sheave carried by said stem adjacent its upper end andwithin the lateral confines of said stem, said second sheave having agenerally horizontally disposed axis of rotation, and means mountingsaid second sheave for pivotal movement about a generally verticallyextending axis.

7. A building according to claim 1 including a cantilevered supportstructure carried by said stem adjacent the upper end thereof, andmodule hoisting means carried by said stem adjacent its upper endincluding a plurality of sheaves spaced about said cantilevered supportstructure, a generally centrally located sheave carried by said stemadjacent its upper end and having a generally horizontally disposed axisof rotation, and means mounting said central sheave for pivotal movementabout a generally vertically extending axis.

8. A building according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of sheaves aremounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and lie ingenerally vertical planes which intersect adjacent the central portionof said stem, said central sheave being pivotal about its vertical axisfor selective substantial alignment of its plane of rotation in thevertical planes containing each of said plurality of sheaves.

9. A building according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means betweeneach of said modules and said stem comprises a pin and a collar, bearingmeans carried by one of said stem and said modules at each connectionthereof, and engageable about said pin, means for securing a pin and acollar one to the other at each connection of said stem and module, saidcollar being carried by the other of said stem andsaid module at eachconnection thereof.

10. A building according to claim 9 wherein said collar is internallythreaded and said pins are externally threaded for threaded engagementwith said collars.

11. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entireheight of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each havingupstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located atalternate building levels and at least a single module at each levelbetween said alternate building levels, means for structurallysupporting the modules at each building level in part including meansconnecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pairof modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced onefrom the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stemand having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly fromsaid support stem and cantilvered therefrom, the cantilevered endportions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereofunderlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacentsuperposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed endportions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, meansconnecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portionsof the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to thenext underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered supporttherefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor,and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner sidewall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levelsto the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structuralcantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, each saidmodule being substantially unsupported by the underlying modules.

12. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stern upstanding sub stantially theentire height of said building; first, second and third elongatedpreformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer side wallportions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means connecting theinner side wall portions of said first and second modules to saidsupport stem at a predetermined level of the building, said first andsecond modules being laterally spaced one from the other at saidpredetermined level and projecting outwardly from said support stem,opposite end portions of said first and second modules projectinglaterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means forsupporting said third module from said support stem including meanscoupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, the cantilevered end portion of one of said first andthird modules having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portionof the other of said first and third modules.

13. The building according to claim 7 wherein the horizontal wall of oneof said first and third modules is received within said slot and forms acommon floor and ceiling between the cantilevered end portions of saidfirst and third modules.

14. A multi-level building comprising:

an elongated structural support stem upstanding substantially the entireheight of said building, a plurality of preformed modules each havingupstanding inner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, a pair of said modules being located atalternate building levels and at least a single module at each levelbetween said alternate building levels, means for structurallysupporting the modules at each building level in part including meansconnecting the inner side wall portions thereof to said stem, the pairof modules at said alternate building levels being laterally spaced onefrom the other, each of said modules projecting outwardly of said stemand having opposite end portions projecting laterally outwardly fromsaid support stem and cantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered endportions of said modules at levels between said alternate levels thereofunderlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacentsuperposed pair of modules and overlying the cantilevered opposed endportions of the next adjacent underlying pair of modules, meansconnecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portionsof the pair of modules at each of the alternate levels thereof to thenext underlying module to provide a structural cantilevered supporttherefor and substantially the remaining structural support therefor,and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the inner sidewall portions of the modules at each level between said alternate levelsto the next underlying pair of modules to provide a structuralcantilevered support for said next underlying pair of modules, thecantilevered end portions of one of the modules at next adjacent levelshaving a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other ofthe modules of said next adjacent levels.

15. A multi-level building comprising:

structural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height ofsaid building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules eachhaving upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions ofsaid first and second modules to said support stem at a predeterminedlevel of the building, said first and second module being laterallyspaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projectingoutwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said firstand second modules projecting laterally from said support stem andcantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from saidsupport stem including means connecting the inner side wall portion ofsaid third module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidthird module directly from said support stem, said third moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered endportions of said first and second modules, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules to said third module to provide a structuralcantilevered support for said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, said latter connecting means including a connectionbetween the ends of the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules and the outer side wall portion of said third module,said third module being supported substantially entirely from said stemand from said first and second modules.

16. A building according to claim 15, including a fourth preformedmodule having upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and ahorizontally extending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wallportion of said fourth module to said support stem at a building levelnext below said predetermined building level to provide partial supportfor said fourth module directly from said support stem, said fourthmodule projecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposedcantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and meansconnecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wallportions of said first and second modules to said fourth module toprovide a structural cantilevered support for said fourth module fromsaid first and second modules and provide substantially the remainingstructural support for said fourth module, said latter connecting meansincluding a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portionsof said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of saidfourth modules, said fourth module being supported substantiallyentirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.

17. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first,second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of thebuilding, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one fromthe other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modulesprojecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,means for supporting said third module from said support stem includingmeans coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, the horizontal wall portion of one of said first andthird modules forming a portion of a common floor and ceilingtherebetween.

18. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first,second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of thebuilding, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one fromthe other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modulesprojecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,means for supporting said third module from said support stem includingmeans coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner andouter side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion,means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said fourth module directly fromsaid support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first andsecond modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite endportions of the inner side wall portions of said first and secondmodules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth modulefrom said first and second modules and to provide substantially theremaining structural support for said fourth module, the horizontal wallportions of one of said first and third modules and one of said secondand fourth modules forming respective portions of common floors andceilings therebetween.

19. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstern upstanding substantially the entire height of said building;first, second and third elongated preformed modules each havingupstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions ofsaid first and second modules to said support stem at a predeterminedlevel of the building, said first and second modules being laterallyspaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projectingoutwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said fist andsecond modules projecting laterally from said support stem andcantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from saidsupport stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion ofsaid third module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidthird module directly from said support stem, said third moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered endportions of said first and second modules, andmeans connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules to said third module to structurally support saidthird module from said first and second modules and providesubstantially the remaining structural support for said third module, afourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wallportions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling theinner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at abuilding level next below said predetermined building level to providepartial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem,said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with itsopposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the otheropposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, andmeans connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourthmodule to structurally support said fourth module from said first andsecond modules and to provide substantially the remaining structuralsupport for said fourth module, the connecting means between thecantilevered end portions of said first and second modules and saidthird module extending substantially continuously along said thirdmodule between its inner and outside walls at a location inset from theend walls of said third module and substantially in the respectivevertical planes containing the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules, the connecting means between the'cantileveredopposite end portions of said first and second modules and said fourthmodule extending substantially continuously along said fourth modulebetween its inner and outside walls at a location inset from the ends ofsaid fourth module and substantially in the respective vertical planescontaining the inner wall portions of said first and second modules.

20. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, aplurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outersidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair ofsaid modules being located at alternate building levels and at least asingle module at each level between said alternate building levels,means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level inpart including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof tosaid stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels beinglaterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projectinglaterally outwardly of said stem and having opposite end portionsprojecting laterally outwardly from said support stem and cantileveredtherefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levelsbetween said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantileveredopposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules andoverlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacentunderlying pair of modules, means con: necting the cantilevered endportions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at eachof the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module-to providea structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially theremaining structural support therefor, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modulesat each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pairof modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said nextunderlying pair of modules, the horizontal wall portion of one of themodules at next adjacent levels forming a portion of a common floor andceiling therebetween.

1. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first,second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of thebuilding, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one fromthe other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modulesprojecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,means for supporting said third module from said support stem includingmeans coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, said third module being supported substantiallyentirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.
 2. Abuilding according to claim 1, including a fourth preformed modulehaving upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion ofsaid fourth module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidfourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposedcantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and meansconnecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wallportions of said first and second modules to said fourth module tostructurally support said fourth module from said first and secondmodules and to provide substantially the remaining structural supportfor said fourth module, said fourth module being supported substantiallyentirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.
 3. Thebuilding according to claim 2 wherein said support stem has fourdiscrete sides, said first and second modules being disposed alongopposite sides of said support stem, said third and fourth modules beingdisposed along the other opposite sides of said support stem.
 4. Thebuilding according to claim 2 wherein the means connecting thecantilevered ends of the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said third and fourth modules respectively serve torestrain said third and fourth modules from movement laterally outwardlyof said support stem.
 5. A building according to Claim 1 including acantilevered support structure carried by said stem adjacent the upperend thereof, and module hoisting means carried by said stem adjacent itsupper end including at least one sheave carried by said cantileveredsupport structure.
 6. A building according to claim 5 wherein saidmodule hoisting means includes a second sheave carried by said stemadjacent its upper end and within the lateral confines of said stem,said second sheave having a generally horizontally disposed axis ofrotation, and means mounting said second sheave for pivotal movementabout a generally vertically extending axis.
 7. A building according toclaim 1 including a cantilevered support structure carried by said stemadjacent the upper end thereof, and module hoisting means carried bysaid stem adjacent its upper end including a plurality of sheaves spacedabout said cantilevered support structure, a generally centrally locatedsheave carried by said stem adjacent its upper end and having agenerally horizontally disposed axis of rotation, and means mountingsaid central sheave for pivotal movement about a generally verticallyextending axis.
 8. A building according to claim 7 wherein saidplurality of sheaves are mounted for rotation about a generallyhorizontal axis and lie in generally vertical planes which intersectadjacent the central portion of said stem, said central sheave beingpivotal about its vertical axis for selective substantial alignment ofits plane of rotation in the vertical planes containing each of saidplurality of sheaves.
 9. A building according to claim 1 wherein saidconnecting means between each of said modules and said stem comprises apin and a collar, bearing means carried by one of said stem and saidmodules at each connection thereof, and engageable about said pin, meansfor securing a pin and a collar one to the other at each connection ofsaid stem and module, said collar being carried by the other of saidstem and said module at each connection thereof.
 10. A buildingaccording to claim 9 wherein said collar is internally threaded and saidpins are externally threaded for threaded engagement with said collars.11. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building, aplurality of preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outersidewall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair ofsaid modules being located at alternate building levels and at least asingle module at each level between said alternate building levels,means for structurally supporting the modules at each building level inpart including means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof tosaid stem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels beinglaterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projectingoutwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projectinglaterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilvered therefrom,the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between saidalternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed endportions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlyingthe cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlyingpair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of theinner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternatelevels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structuralcantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structuralsupport therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions ofthe inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between saidalternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide astructural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair ofmodules, each said module being substantially unsupported by theunderlying modules.
 12. A multi-level building comprising: an elongatedstructural support stem upstAnding substantially the entire height ofsaid building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules eachhaving upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions ofsaid first and second modules to said support stem at a predeterminedlevel of the building, said first and second modules being laterallyspaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projectingoutwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said firstand second modules projecting laterally from said support stem andcantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from saidsupport stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion ofsaid third module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidthird module directly from said support stem, said third moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered endportions of said first and second modules, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules to said third module to structurally support saidthird module from said first and second modules and providesubstantially the remaining structural support for said third module,the cantilevered end portion of one of said first and third moduleshaving a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portion of the other ofsaid first and third modules.
 13. The building according to claim 7wherein the horizontal wall of one of said first and third modules isreceived within said slot and forms a common floor and ceiling betweenthe cantilevered end portions of said first and third modules.
 14. Amulti-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stemupstanding substantially the entire height of said building, a pluralityof preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outer sidewallportions and a horizontally extending wall portion, a pair of saidmodules being located at alternate building levels and at least a singlemodule at each level between said alternate building levels, means forstructurally supporting the modules at each building level in partincluding means connecting the inner side wall portions thereof to saidstem, the pair of modules at said alternate building levels beinglaterally spaced one from the other, each of said modules projectingoutwardly of said stem and having opposite end portions projectinglaterally outwardly from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,the cantilevered end portions of said modules at levels between saidalternate levels thereof underlying the cantilevered opposed endportions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules and overlyingthe cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacent underlyingpair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered end portions of theinner side wall portions of the pair of modules at each of the alternatelevels thereof to the next underlying module to provide a structuralcantilevered support therefor and substantially the remaining structuralsupport therefor, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions ofthe inner side wall portions of the modules at each level between saidalternate levels to the next underlying pair of modules to provide astructural cantilevered support for said next underlying pair ofmodules, the cantilevered end portions of one of the modules at nextadjacent levels having a slot for receiving the cantilevered end portionof the other of the modules of said next adjacent levels.
 15. Amulti-level building comprising: structural support stem upstandingsubstantially the entire height of said building; first, second andthird elongated preformed modules each having upstanding inner and outerside wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion, meansconnecting the inner side wall portIons of said first and second modulesto said support stem at a predetermined level of the building, saidfirst and second module being laterally spaced one from the other atsaid predetermined level and projecting outwardly from said supportstem, opposite end portions of said first and second modules projectinglaterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom, means forsupporting said third module from said support stem including meansconnecting the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto provide a structural cantilevered support for said third module fromsaid first and second modules and provide substantially the remainingstructural support for said third module, said latter connecting meansincluding a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portionsof said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of saidthird module, said third module being supported substantially entirelyfrom said stem and from said first and second modules.
 16. A buildingaccording to claim 15, including a fourth preformed module havingupstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means coupling the inner side wall portion ofsaid fourth module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidfourth module directly from said support stem, said fourth moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the other opposedcantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, and meansconnecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the inner side wallportions of said first and second modules to said fourth module toprovide a structural cantilevered support for said fourth module fromsaid first and second modules and provide substantially the remainingstructural support for said fourth module, said latter connecting meansincluding a connection between the ends of the inner side wall portionsof said first and second modules and the outer side wall portion of saidfourth modules, said fourth module being supported substantiallyentirely from said stem and from said first and second modules.
 17. Amulti-level building comprising: an elongated structural support stemupstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first,second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of thebuilding, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one fromthe other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem, opposite end portions of said first and second modulesprojecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,means for supporting said third module from said support stem includingmeans coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, the horizontal wall portion of one of said first andthird modules forming a portion of a common floor and ceilingtherebetween.
 18. A multi-level building comprising: an elongatedstructural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height ofsaid building; first, second and third elongated preformed modules eachhaving upstanding inner and outer side wall portions and a horizontallyextending wall portion, means connecting the inner side wall portions ofsaid first and second modules to said support stem at a predeterminedlevel of the building, said first and second modules being laterallyspaced one from the other at said predetermined level and projectingoutwardly from said support stem, opposite end portions of said firstand second modules projecting laterally from said support stem andcantilevered therefrom, means for supporting said third module from saidsupport stem including means coupling the inner side wall portion ofsaid third module to said support stem at a building level next belowsaid predetermined building level to provide partial support for saidthird module directly from said support stem, said third moduleprojecting outwardly from said support stem with its opposite endportions cantilevered therefrom and underlying opposed cantilevered endportions of said first and second modules, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of said firstand second modules to said third module to structurally support saidthird module from said first and second modules and providesubstantially the remaining structural support for said third module, afourth preformed module having upstanding inner and outer side wallportions and a horizontally extending wall portion, means coupling theinner side wall portion of said fourth module to said support stem at abuilding level next below said predetermined building level to providepartial support for said fourth module directly from said support stem,said fourth module projecting outwardly from said support stem with itsopposite end portions cantilevered therefrom and underlying the otheropposed cantilevered end portions of said first and second modules, andmeans connecting the cantilevered opposite end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said fourthmodule to structurally support said fourth module from said first andsecond modules and to provide substantially the remaining structuralsupport for said fourth module, the horizontal wall portions of one ofsaid first and third modules and one of said second and fourth modulesforming respective portions of common floors and ceilings therebetween.19. A multi-level building comprising: an elongated structural supportstem upstanding substantially the entire height of said building; first,second and third elongated preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer side wall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, means connecting the inner side wall portions of said first andsecond modules to said support stem at a predetermined level of thebuilding, said first and second modules being laterally spaced one fromthe other at said predetermined level and projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem, opposite end portions of said fist and second modulesprojecting laterally from said support stem and cantilevered therefrom,means for supporting said third module from said support stem includingmeans coupling the inner side wall portion of said third module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said third module directly fromsaid support stem, said third module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrOm andunderlying opposed cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules, and means connecting the cantilevered end portions of the innerside wall portions of said first and second modules to said third moduleto structurally support said third module from said first and secondmodules and provide substantially the remaining structural support forsaid third module, a fourth preformed module having upstanding inner andouter side wall portions and a horizontally extending wall portion,means coupling the inner side wall portion of said fourth module to saidsupport stem at a building level next below said predetermined buildinglevel to provide partial support for said fourth module directly fromsaid support stem, said fourth module projecting outwardly from saidsupport stem with its opposite end portions cantilevered therefrom andunderlying the other opposed cantilevered end portions of said first andsecond modules, and means connecting the cantilevered opposite endportions of the inner side wall portions of said first and secondmodules to said fourth module to structurally support said fourth modulefrom said first and second modules and to provide substantially theremaining structural support for said fourth module, the connectingmeans between the cantilevered end portions of said first and secondmodules and said third module extending substantially continuously alongsaid third module between its inner and outside walls at a locationinset from the end walls of said third module and substantially in therespective vertical planes containing the inner side wall portions ofsaid first and second modules, the connecting means between thecantilevered opposite end portions of said first and second modules andsaid fourth module extending substantially continuously along saidfourth module between its inner and outside walls at a location insetfrom the ends of said fourth module and substantially in the respectivevertical planes containing the inner wall portions of said first andsecond modules.
 20. A multi-level building comprising: an elongatedstructural support stem upstanding substantially the entire height ofsaid building, a plurality of preformed modules each having upstandinginner and outer sidewall portions and a horizontally extending wallportion, a pair of said modules being located at alternate buildinglevels and at least a single module at each level between said alternatebuilding levels, means for structurally supporting the modules at eachbuilding level in part including means connecting the inner side wallportions thereof to said stem, the pair of modules at said alternatebuilding levels being laterally spaced one from the other, each of saidmodules projecting laterally outwardly of said stem and having oppositeend portions projecting laterally outwardly from said support stem andcantilevered therefrom, the cantilevered end portions of said modules atlevels between said alternate levels thereof underlying the cantileveredopposed end portions of the next adjacent superposed pair of modules andoverlying the cantilevered opposed end portions of the next adjacentunderlying pair of modules, means connecting the cantilevered endportions of the inner side wall portions of the pair of modules at eachof the alternate levels thereof to the next underlying module to providea structural cantilevered support therefor and substantially theremaining structural support therefor, and means connecting thecantilevered end portions of the inner side wall portions of the modulesat each level between said alternate levels to the next underlying pairof modules to provide a structural cantilevered support for said nextunderlying pair of modules, the horizontal wall portion of one of themodules at next adjacent levels forming a portion of a common floor andceiling therebetween.